Bird Wings Beat: A Mason Jennings Fansite

• And It Was Good - 05/20/2008
  Mason's latest album In The Ever dropped today, and it's stellar. Especially if you're a fan of the "railroad troubadour" Mason, which I happen to be. Pick it up, or risk a Good Music Deficit in your heart.
• In The Ever Tracklist, Cover, and Release Date Revealed - 04/25/2008
  Hot on the heels of my (extremely belated) new album announcement, Amazon has revealed the tracklist and the (beautiful) cover for In The Ever, due out May 20, 2008. Check out the Discography page for all the deets, or pre-order your little heart out. (Thanks, Dustin!)
• New Album: In The Ever - 04/24/2008
  Has it been two years already? Mason's new album, In The Ever, is scheduled for release on Brushfire Records in May 2008. The track listing is currently unknown, but presumably "Fighter Girl" (a re-recorded version of the Boneclouds castoff) made the cut, since it was just released on Brushfire as an iTunes single. According to a recent interview in The Honolulu Advertiser, the album was recorded "in a cabin in the woods with minimal equipment", about which Mason says, "I really wanted to get out of the studio for this one. I wanted to be in an organic place; hear rain on the roof, hear birds outside." We likey.
• Mason Signs With Brushfire Records - 04/24/2008
  From the "apparently old news" department: Mason has switched labels, from Glacial Pace to Brushfire Records. (I heard Jack Johnson beat Isaac Brock in a cage match.) Presumably he fit in better with the chill atmosphere of Brushfire. Plus, which Christmas party would you rather attend: the one in Hawaii, or the one in Portland, or whatever?
• Matt News - 12/12/2007
  While we're waiting for Mason to eat that baby, there's always his talented brother Matt (Jennings) to talk about. Said brother is currently on tour, maybe with new music, hint hint? (Metroplex-ites: he'll be in Ft. Worth tonight and Dallas tomorrow night, so cancel your plans and, uh, get some tans.)
• Meta News - 12/12/2007
  There's been a total dearth of Mason news of late. So in "about the site" news [snore], it's pitifully sad that this place is still statically-driven and that I haven't linked the lyrics pages to counterpart live MP3s and such. Please know that as soon as The Man stops cracking The Whip, the site will get The Treatment. Oh, and Mason: do something newsworthy! Make an album, go electric, eat a baby... something! Your public is never satiated.
• Server Move - 4/6/2007
  BWB just moved to a sick new host. MP3s might not download for just a bit, and you might have to re-login to the forum before you can post again. Sorry for any troubles.
• Digital Reasons - 11/14/2006
  If you haven't got a reason to spend the scrilla on a Boneclouds/If You Need A Reason EP bundle, you can now download the EP from the iTunes Store! Oddly enough, at the time of this post, all Glacial Pace recordings are showing up twice on Mason's iTunes artist page. So if that first link disappears, just hit up the second link and find it manually. Sure, it's not as cool as the paper-sleeve version, but it may be your best bet. And first person to say "I shan't support this iPod/iTunes strangehold!" gets a douse in the face from a delicious Starbucks venti drip. [Thanks to Daniel for the tip.]
• Nope, It's Really Like That - 10/09/2006
  [Note: Read "Buy The Same Album Twice!" below to catch up on this topic.] One trip to Good Records later, and it seems there really is a "you must buy the album to get the EP" policy, intended to spur the "disappointing" sales of Boneclouds. (Good Records actually allows you to purchase any Mason CD to get the EP, so I replaced my missing Century Spring.) Really, this policy has to go. I understand it from a business and marketing perspective -- I'm sure the suits at Epic even find it extravagantly generous -- but I think it's inconsiderate of the fans. We certainly don't deserve any favors, and Mason is free to sell his music however he wants, but I'm sure we'd all be happier if they'd just offer it for sale on its own, too. In any case, it's very good, so if there are any holes in your Mason collection, don't hesitate to fill 'em now to get the songs.
• I've [Possibly] Made A Huge Mistake - 10/07/2006
  Following last night's indignant posting, I reexamined the actual language of the site, and it's not entirely clear whether the EP is available ala carte. Technically it never says you actually have to buy Boneclouds, just that they're offering it as a bonus. I assumed as much since there was no information on how to purchase the EP, but it's entirely possible you can just buy it alone. If so, I will stand horridly corrected and apologetic. I'll check in at Good Records today and report back. If I made a mistake, a huge apology goes out to the Mason crew for badmouthing them wrongly. If not, though... the wobbly remains.
• Buy The Same Album Twice! - 10/06/2006
  Hot on the heels of Kristin's eBay discovery (see below), the Mason crew officially announced the If You Need A Reason EP, along with the ridiculous news that it's only [currently] available as a free bonus with the purchase of Boneclouds (ala the "Be Here Now/Things Change" pre-order vinyl), and only at select independent record stores. Kudos on the support for independents, but a big wobbly to the early-adopter-screwing purchase policy. To reiterate, you have to purchase Boneclouds in order to receive the new EP as a free bonus. It doesn't make sense to me: release a fan-tantalizing EP as the exclusive bonus to an album the fans already own? The policy rewards late-comers and milks the most ardent supporters. However, I'm willing to assume the policy is less malevolent than simply misguided, and is either temporary or we're only getting half the story. I hope the other shoe drops soon. (Of course, I will be giving my copy of Boneclouds away and purchasing a new one at Good Records tomorrow. Milk milk.)
• Buy The Same Song Twice! - 10/05/2006
  Thanks to the wonders of the internets and their electronic "bays", Mason fan "Kristin" on the "official-schmofficial" boards has reportedly purchased the not-yet-even-officially-revealed upcoming EP of Boneclouds toss-offs. The EP will reportedly be named If You Need A Reason EP and feature five songs. (I'll give you one guess what one of them is titled.) You can see the tracklist on the discography page. Now, as much as I'm looking forward to the four B-sides, I really hope the title track is an alternate take from the Boneclouds version, or else I'm going to be wondering just what was so bad about the other 22 discards that they didn't deserve a chance to shine. [Edit: Okay, my count was off. If Mason had 36 songs to choose from for Boneclouds, and 10 made the album, and one ("Things Change") made the vinyl bonus, then he should have 25 discards previous to the EP and 21 after. My apologies.]
• Video Killed... Nobody, Ever - 10/03/2006
  Quickly now, quickly, a duo of "moving pictures" for the kids: first, Mason sings "Boneclouds" (the song) at the Gypsy Tea Room on September 29, 2006. This is one of several songs recorded during the Boneclouds (the album) sessions that were deemed unworthy of album inclusion -- what, put more than 10 songs on a CD? futuristic mumbo-jumbo! -- but will be released on an upcoming EP. (Hey, he's got 26 discards to choose from.) Moving on, we have an inexplicably good find from YouTube: an astonishingly beautiful cover of "If You Ain't Got Love" by two wonderful human beings of the female persuasion. For the Philistines out there who find Mason's voice "too divisive", just try to dislike his poignancy when delivered by harmonized folkstresses. Aaaaaand, scene!
• Important System Message Concerning Bandwidth And Such - 10/01/2006
  So sorry about the weekend downage. Looks like the "put as many MP3s as possible online and cross your fingers" experiment came to its inevitable bandwidth conclusion, two days before the 10GB/month refresh. Boo. I've got a bigger-bandwidth host to which I'll be moving BWB shortly, but it was supposed to coincide with a bigger backend overhaul that's taking a bit of time. (Here's a little hint.) Sometime this month it should happen, and bandwidth outages should be a thing of the past. Like polio!
• Second Leg Tour Dates - 8/14/2006
  The newsletter -- or in this case, the decidedly goodnewsletter -- just arrived in the old mailbox, and it looks like Mason's going out for a second tour leg! And Texas is back in rotation! Here there will be happiness:

  September 07 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
  September 08 - Urbana, IL - The Canopy Club
  September 09 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
  September 10 - Millvale, PA - Mr Small's Theatre
  September 12 - Toronto, Canada - Drake Hotel
  September 14 - Portland, ME - The Space
  September 15 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
  September 16 - Boston, MA - Avalon Ballroom
  September 19 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
  September 21 - Jacksonville Beach, FL - Freebird Café
  September 22 - Ft Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
  September 23 - Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
  September 24 - St Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing
  September 26 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre
  September 28 - Houston, TX - Walters on Washington
  September 29 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tearoom
  September 30 - Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ

• Boneclouds Tabs Up - 7/10/2006
  Thanks to Ryan from MyGuitarTabs.com, we've got most of the Boneclouds tabs up. Still needing Some Say I'm Not and Where The Sun Had Been, if any tabbers out there want to take a stab. Oh, and anyone who's sent me tabs in the last few months: I've been enormously lazy. If I haven't added them, re-email them and I'll put 'em up.
• MP3s Of Every Mason Song Ever - 6/17/2006
  Check out this forum thread to find out how you can help BWB compile the greatest collection of live Mason MP3s that man has ever seen! (Woman has seen it, but she ain't talking. Crafty guttersnipe.) And if you're selfish and work-averse, replace "help BWB compile" with "download" and go to the thread anyway. Meanie.
• Boneclouds Lyrics Up - 6/15/2006
  Sorry for the delay. These had to be transcribed by ear since the liner notes were lyric-less, and the new Mason site doesn't see lyrics as much of a necessity. They's all up now.
• Tour/Line-up Verified, Pre-Order Goodies, and Video Released - 4/15/2006
  The latest Mason Jennings Newsletter was a cornucopia of tasty delights. First, the tour dates were confirmed (see below). Second, it was revealed that joining Mason and Chris on the tour will be Peter Leggett (of the Heiruspecs) on drums and Bradford Swanson on guitar and piano. Wait... a fourth member?! Awesome. Also, apparently if you pre-order Boneclouds from the Sony Music Store you'll also receive an autographed 7" vinyl that includes "Be Here Now" on one side and the unreleased "Things Change" on the other. No word on if this applies retroactively to earlier pre-orders (hint hint, Sony). Peeps who shop at Awarestore can apparently have the "opportunity" to purchase either the 7" vinyl or a CD single of "Be Here Now" if they pre-order. Which I guess might prove useful for, like, one person. And lastly, the video for "Be Here Now" is finally available! Tell your friends and vote for it on TRL. I'm joking about that last one. I hope.
• 2006 Tour Dates "Leaked" - 4/13/2006
  (Update: Dates have been confirmed, along with two additions and a correction.) Static Multimedia has a list of Boneclouds-supporting tour dates. We won't know for sure these are valid until they go on the official site -- and is Texas getting screwed again?! -- but here they are anyway:

  New: June 03 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
  New: June 05 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
  September 07 - Pittsburgh, PA - Three Rivers Festival
  June 08 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
  June 09 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
  June 10 - Washington, D.C - 9:30 Club
  June 14 - Charlottesville, VA - Starr Hill
  June 15 - Asheville, NC - OrangePeel The Grey Eagle
  June 16 - Chapel Hill, NC - Cat's Cradle
  June 17 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
  June 20 - Louisville, KY - Headliners
  June 21 - St. Louis, MO - Mississippi Nights
  June 22 - Chicago, IL - Park West
  June 23 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
  June 24 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
  July 07 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
  July 08 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
  July 11 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Theatre
  July 13 - San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
  July 14 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon Theatre
  July 15 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues

• Mason on CBS Sunday Morning - 4/12/2006
  In a little three-mornings-after news, Mason was featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood last Sunday. Thanks to Lucid, we have vidcaps available, in two chunky sizes: 320x240 (3.8MB) and 640x480 (8.2MB). (You will want to right-click and download those links before watching the movies. And you might need Quicktime. I'm stupid.) This may seem small, but it's our first real indication of Mason's mainstream acceptance, and from an apparently reputable source. Go Mason.
• Boneclouds Tracklisting, Preorder - 3/16/2006
  Ooh, a bumper crop of goodies! The Sony Music Store (dot com) has Boneclouds available for preorder, so go get you some of that Boneclouds. Naturally, the site contains a tracklisting, which you can now read on the Discography page.
• New Boneclouds Details: Brian Out, David In, And Noah (Not That One) On The Mixer - 3/07/2006
  The newest Boneclouds details come from Mason's inexplicable MySpace page. The bio description reveals that Boneclouds will waft from "delicately finger picked mediations to raw, searing rockers." This sounds promising, if just a bit familiar. The article also notes that Brian Mcleod has been replaced by David King (of The Bad Plus) on the drums, and that Noah Georgeson produced the album. If his previous work on Devendra Banhart's excellent Cripple Crow is any indication, the album will be absolutely lush.
• Album Announcement: Boneclouds - 2/22/2006
  According to Mason's website, his new album will be titled Boneclouds and will be released on May 2 May 16, 2006. The album is Mason's first release on Glacial Pace, and has an utterly awesome cover. (Edit: The site just changed the release date from May 2 to May 16. You can still see the original poster that shows the May 2 date.)
• New Album? - 10/14/2005
  Mason's back in the studio, recording for his unnamed 2006 release... or so says his website. What with all the big label brou-haha that's been going on lately, that might just be marketing fluff dreamed up by the suits to whet our ape tits while The Matrix puts the finishing touches on his duet with Hilary Duff. I'd wager Texas-with-a-dollar-sign on that.
• Mason Sells Out. (Just kidding.) - 06/18/2005
  According to Twin Cities rag Star Tribune, Mason just signed with Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic music label headed by Modest Mouse growler Isaac Brock. Big news. Huge. For years, Mason has maintained distance from the major labels to avoid the politics and creative control that usually accompany such career-boosting proximity. Brock must have convinced Mason on the tour last fall that Glacial wouldn't stifle him, and would let him — wait for it — move at his own pace. The article also states that Mason is searching for a "big name" producer for his next album, to be released next spring. Here's hoping for a Lillywhite or Rubin, and not that guy who ruined Dave Matthews Band. With Brock himself recently doing producer duties for Wolf Parade's self-titled EP, maybe we'll see a Modest Mouse/Mason Jennings album. I don't think I'm alone when I pee myself a little. (Note: The title of this article is a friendly joke. Except the "just kidding" part... that's real.)
• Board Be PunBB - 1/15/2005
  I should just rededicate this site to forum engines... or look harder for new Mason news. In any case, I changed the forums from phpBB to punBB, because the latter is more streamlined and easier to administer. Plus, it had a built-in theme ("Mercury") that was the spitting image of the rest of BWB. Yay. All posts/accounts moved over from phpBB loverly. Enjoy. Again.
• Board Be Back - 12/23/2004
  The boards are back up, and updated to phpBB 2.0.11 to avoid the net-wide phpBB hack. The only difference is that I deleted the GoldMine theme for now, until I can get it looking better. If you were using it, you'll have to put up with the default phpBB look for a while. Enjoy.
• "Be Here Now" MP3
  Thanks to a Mason fan who recorded the AOL Webcast 2004-09-18 Austin City Limits performance, we've got a reasonable-quality MP3 of Mason's newest song, "Be Here Now," albeit with a few digital blips at the beginning. Enjoy. (And in case you don't already know, visit this forum topic for another delectable Mason MP3.)
• Order Use Your Van - 09/21/2004
  Quickly now, order Use Your Van from Awarestore.com; not only does it promise to be a jewel for Mason fans, it apparently features a new (or alternately-titled) song, "Lonely Computer Screen." Lyrics to come.
• Mason DVD Announced - 08/26/2004
  The Official Mason Jennings website has just announced that Mason's aforementioned DVD will be entitled Use Your Van, and will be available "soon." The site also reports that "there will be a two [sic] screenings of the DVD at the Heights Theatre in Columbia Heights, Minnesota on Thursday, September 30 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This is an all ages event and tickets are $8." Tickets to those shows are available from MusicToday.
• Documasonry? - 03/22/2004
  The rumor mill sayeth that Mason has been filming concerts for an upcoming documentary that purportedly shows the life of an independent artist, on and off the road. We'll keep you updated when official news arises.
• Bird Wings Beat - 03/13/2004
  Thanks to the philanthropy of a few fine Mason fans and a guy with a killer server, we now have a permanent home at www.birdwingsbeat.com. Tell all your friends and update your bookmarks!
• Use Your Credit Card (Part 2) - 02/10/2004
  Mason's new album, Use Your Voice, is now available for purchase.
• Use Your Credit Card - 11/22/2003
  At last night's Menominee show, Mason announced the new album Use Your Voice will be released on February 10, 2004. Presumably, he will use his voice to sing songs and perhaps make interesting noises.
• Forums Revisited - 08/13/2003
  Thanks to the brilliantly brilliant Tony Previte, we've now got a beautiful phpBB forum. Welcommen.
• New Mason Videos - 03/02/2003
  Two new videos have appeared on the official Mason site: a music video for "Sorry Signs on Cash Machines" (shot using footage from the 12/6/03 and 12/7/03 First Avenue shows plus some on-location stuff), and a promotional bit with lots of Mason monologuing. Check 'em out.
• Robert Leaves - 02/08/2003
  As rumoured, MJB bassist and tour staple Robert Skoro has officially left the band to pursue his promising solo career. Chris Morrissey of the Bill Mike Band will replace him.
• August and Everything After - 01/22/2003
  At last night's University of Minnesota show, Mason announced that he and Amy just welcomed their first child, a boy named August, into the family. Congrats go out to them from the entire fan community. (Note to Mason: change Sylvan to "August" and throw it into play rotation for a surefire crowd-pleaser.)
• More Proof That Bassists Rock - 12/13/2002
  Mason's longtime bassist/collaborator Robert Skoro just released his first album, Proof, and it's winning rave reviews from listeners so far. You can read more at his official site.